Integrated Pest ManagementIPM

IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests through biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes risks to the community.

To understand this concept, it is important to understand the environmental variables around us.

What are the variables in your environment?

Integrated Pest ManagementIPM

A typical home garden has more pesticides (acre for acre) on it than a farmer’s field

TRUE or FALSE

A typical home garden has more pesticide (acre for acre) in it than a farmer’s field

TRUE or FALSE

TRUE or FALSE

If a pesticide is natural, it can not harm you.

TRUE or FALSE

If a pesticide is natural it can not harm you.

TRUE or FALSE

• Since most insects are harmful they should be removed from your yard.

TRUE or FALSE

• Since most insects are harmful they should be removed from your yard.

Beneficial or not considered to be pests

(> 99%)

Less than 1%Less than 1%Considered Considered to be peststo be pests

Of all insect species in the world

A) Inactive produce markets

B) Integrated pest management

C) Insects pests and moles

D) Industrial pesticide makers

IPM stands for

A) Inactive produce markets

B) Integrated pest management

C) Insects pests and moles

D) Industrial pesticide makers

IPM stands for:

What is IPM??? IPM (integrated pest

management) is a sustainable approach

to managing pests by combining

biological, chemical,

cultural, and physical tools in a way that minimizes

economic, health, and environmental risks.

From: Anonymous. 1994 Integrated Pest Management Practices in 1991 Fruits and Nuts, RTD Updates: Pest Management, USDA-ERS, 8pp.

What is a Pest?What is a Pest?

A plant or animal that is out of place

This includes: This includes: Diseases, Weeds,Diseases, Weeds,Arthropods, Reptiles, Arthropods, Reptiles, Mammals, etcMammals, etc..

Is this a pest?

Is this a pest?

• That depends if it‘s in your garden or your house?

Does this person have a pest problem?

Does this person have a pest problem?

• Depends on the threshold of damage they will put up with

Biological control

Chemical control

Cultural control

Physical control

Pest management toolbox

Biological Control• The use of living

organisms to control pests

• Predators• Parasites

• Pathogens

Predators

• Kill many prey• often generalists

rather than specialists

• 200,000 species

Predators

Lady Beetle eating an Aphid

Predators

A spider mite feeding on a pest, two spotted spider mite

Predators

Predaceous stink bug piercing caterpillar

Predators

Predators

Predators

Predators• General Rule

– Bigger– Badder– Fewer– Faster

long legged fly eating an aphid

Above: syrphid fly on daisyBelow: syrphid fly eating an aphid

CompleteComplete

MetamorphosMetamorphosisis

EGGEGG

LARVLARVAA

PUPAPUPA

ADULADULTT

Lady BirdLady BirdBeetleBeetle

Predators

Lacewing larvae ready to feed on aphids

Lacewing eggs

Adult Lacewing

Simple Simple MetamorphosisMetamorphosis

Biological Control• The use of living

organisms to control pests

• Predators

• Parasitoids• Pathogens

ParasitoidsParasitoids

Unlike parasites which usually have multiple hosts and do not kill their prey, parasitoids are all host specific and always kill their prey.

ParasitoiParasitoidsds

parasitoid wasp ovipositing its eggs into fly larvae.

beet armyworm with exit hole from parasitoid wasp

ParasitoidsParasitoids

ParasitesParasites

• Very specialized• Develop from eggs

laid in or on host• very stealthy and

often small• leave a trail of

bodies

Healthy aphids

Parasitized aphids

ParasitoidsParasitoids

Aphid MummiesAphid Mummies

ParasiteParasite

A Phorid fly egg hatches and migrates to the ant’s head, where it releases chemicals which decapitate the host

Biological Control• The use of living

organisms to control pests

• Predators

• Parasites

• Pathogens

PathogensPathogens

• Usually very specific

• leave a trail of bodies

• may take a few days to provide control (lag time)

• kill, reduce reproduction, reduce insect health

PathogensPathogens

usually advertised as naturally occurring insect diseases caused by

bacteria

protozoa

viruses and

fungi

BT

Nosema

Chemical control

• Should be used as a last resort and with the lowest impact on natural enemies and YOU!

Pest Management Prior to the 2nd World War Pest Management Prior to the 2nd World War

Several ApproachesSeveral Approaches

1.1.Manual and physical control methodsManual and physical control methods2.2.Cultural controlCultural control3.3.Biological controlBiological control4. Chemical control (metal & plant derivatives)4. Chemical control (metal & plant derivatives)

Pest Management After World War 2Pest Management After World War 2

Development of nerve gases…discovered to beDevelopment of nerve gases…discovered to be insecticidalinsecticidal

Discovery of synthetic, organic insecticidesDiscovery of synthetic, organic insecticides

Organochlorines (DDT - wide spectrumOrganochlorines (DDT - wide spectrumOP’s (parathion)OP’s (parathion) CarbamatesCarbamates

Widespread Use of Pesticides (1945 - 1980) Widespread Use of Pesticides (1945 - 1980)

• By 1980, more than 900 registered insecticidesBy 1980, more than 900 registered insecticides

• Insecticides were a popular choice for pest Insecticides were a popular choice for pest management because they were:management because they were:

a. Cheapb. Effective in small quantitiesc. Persistentd. Broad spectrume. Easy to usef. Fit in calendar spray schedules

Result of widespread insecticide useResult of widespread insecticide use

Suppression of target pests (at one time, up to 98% reduction) from single application.

Not all Pesticides were created equal

Those not compatible with biological control

– Organochlorides– Organophosphates– Carbamates– Pyrethroids

Others are compatible with biological control

– Insect growth regulators– microbials– botanicals– oils/soap– attractants/ repellants

What makes a pesticide compatible?

• Selectivity• residual activity• time, rate, and place

where sprayed

IGRs

Botanicals

Repellants

Oils/Soaps

Compatibility Chart

CULTURAL CONTROL

Disease Resistant Varieties can help Minimize pressure from pests and pathogens

CULTURAL CONTROL

• Use pest free plants

• Use resistant varieties

• Destroy refuse

Cultural Methods:Cultural Methods: fertilization watering, pruning, sanitation, etc.

Grow healthy plants:

Stressed plants are generally more susceptible to pest attack

Physical control

This can be labor intensive and time consuming

Physical control

And don’t forget about the environmentally friendly, SQUASHING method of

insect control

Where do I get natural enemies Where do I get natural enemies and other aspects of biological and other aspects of biological

control?control?• Buy it

• Preserve what you have

Purchasing natural enemies?Purchasing natural enemies?

• Tips– ID your problem insect– Order from a reputable

supplier• life cycle• when to release• how many to release

REMEMBER the market is NOT regulated by the government … a buyer beware market

Companies that sell natural Companies that sell natural enemiesenemies

• In Florida– Florikan– EcoSolutions

• Outside Florida– IPM Laboratories– Beneficial Insectary– Koppert– Rincon-Vitova Insectaries– Garden’s Alive

How to help the good bugs.How to help the good bugs.

• Reduce your pesticide use, and only use softer pesticides

• Learn to ID the good from the bad

• Use flowers in your garden that attract natural enemies– provide pollen/nectar– provide shelter/shade

Flowers that attract the good guysFlowers that attract the good guys

• Dill

• Fennel

• Queen Anne’s lace

• Echinacea (coneflower)

• Sunflower

• Tansy

• Vetch

• Mustards

• Lupine

• Cilantro (coriander)

• Gaillardia (blanketflower)

• Milkweeds

• Goldenrod

• Fava Bean

• Alfalfa

• Clover

• Parsley

And Scouting

.

SCOUTING

• favorable conditions

• signs of the pests– damage– frass

• the actual pest

• signs of natural enemies